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State Requires Whooping Cough Immunization

Previously among ten other states without requirements for pertussis vaccines, Iowa is now catching up with the rest of the nation. Traci Shirkey, with Washington County Public Health, says the Tdap booster, which includes vaccines for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is mandatory for all students entering 7th grade this fall and born on or after September 15th, 2000. The booster is available at WCPH, and free for those covered by the Vaccines for Children program.